looked around and realized i was the only woman in the room and i looked at assembled scientists and energy experts and remember thinking, you know, i bet i'm the only person in this room who regularly uses a washing machine. we're talking about front loading versus side loading and i read in the consumer reports the new regulations screwed up washing machines, i tried, i'm sorry. but i do think women bring that practical perspective to the policy debate. they asked me to talk about how i got here and got involved. i have to tell you, thinking back driving into campus, it started here and growing up i never dreamed i would one day work at the white house. i wanted to be an olympic swimmer but had more heart than talent and that didn't work out. when i came to s.m.u., i knew i was really good at two things, arguing and asking a lot of questions. and i used to drive people crazy because i asked so many questions. teachers used to complain to my parents i asked too many questions and my mother thought certain i would become a lawyer. here at 1. m.u. -- here at s.m.u., my curiosity led me to en